Control mechanism for aeroplanes



April 6 1926.

H. E. KRAMMER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR AEROPLANES Filed Feb. 16 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR He E. Zfiw/mmer ATTORNEY April 6 H. E. KRAMMER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR AEROPLANES Filed Feb. 16, 1924.

IN VEN TOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2' HENRY E. KRAMMER A TTORNE Y5 April 6 192%.,

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 16 1924 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. e; teas.

To (all whomit may concern:

Be it known that l, HENRY E. 1(lli\lfI1IlR-,H citizen of-the United States, residing at 1530 Brook Avenue, borough of Bronx, in the '5 citunty of Bronx and State of New York,

' the character described which will be actuated either automatically through the tipping *of the aeroplane into an abnormal position 'or which may be actuated selectively by a manual control.

In aeroplane structures now known, it is customary "to control the machine through a set of instrmnenta-lities, which, on becoming inoperative for any reason forces the operator to depend upon his manual control of the stabilizing and equilibrium mechanisms for governing the flight of the aeroplane.

Accordingly, one of the objects of this in "vention "is to provide a safety feature to the control instrumentalities which will permit the utilization of a supplemental control when the prin'uiry control becomes ineffective On-e means for attaining this result is to pro vide a plurality of actuating mechanisms so associated that in case anyone set-of the instrumentalities becomes ineffective. recourse is had ton supplemental set of instrumentalities for eti'ecting'either the automatic or manual control of the machine.

It has been found that the wing or aileron mechanism for effecting the control of the machines becomes in ffective under some conditions of service, such as are presented by cross currents which tend to resist the actuation of the mechanism.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide system or rather a combination of systems so 'corelatcd in their action on the aeroplane control mechanism that they may be caused to control the aeroplane by their collective action and thus bring into effect a strong powerful actuation of the control mechanism.

A. 'Irth object of the invention is to prev; e a rbl .ineclia'iiism wh i g y be constructed in'stanjdard sizes for ins tatnm I ism'ze HENRY KBAI /I J1EE, OF HEW YORK, N. Y.

CONTROL IVIECHANZSM FOB AEROPLANES.

Application filed February 16, 1924. Serial No. 693,159.

in any of the conventional types of aeroplanes and which will be so constructed and designed that the device may be readily adjusted and calibered to meet the requirements of-the particular machine upon which they are designed to be n'iounted.

In one form of control 'lrlGClltUllSill now known. ailerons are proviced to 'eti'ect a sta bili ation of the machine, but these ailerons are frequently subjected "to influences incidental to the flight of the machine which seriously affects theirposition and thus detracts from their stabilizing etliciency.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to insulate these ailerons om local influences and incidental to this object it is further desired to provide a type of coupling between the ailerons actuating mechanism and the aerian, such that loose play is reduced toa minimum and a positive mechanical connection is provided so as to control any abnormal shiftingof the vanes incidental to the flight of the n'iac-hine.

Various other objects and advantages "of the invention will be in part obvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part will be more fully forth in the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying my invention, and the invention also consists in certain new and novel features of construc tion and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the aeroplane wing construction showing a preferred embodiment of my invention associated there-- with and showing diagrammatica-lly a wiring plan foruse in connection with the control devices illustrated;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the control cylinder shown in plan in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line '33 of Figure 1;;

Figure f is a vertical sectional view taken through one of'the fluid controllii'i'g inlet valves shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a similar .view of one of the fluid controlling exhaust valves shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through the pendului'n controlled compound 'circuit closer constituting part of the system shown in Figure Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view ot the circuit closer taken on the line T'. of .lfiigure (i; and

Figure 8 is a front elevational. view of the upper portion of the circuit closer shown in. Figure '7.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience of expression but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown a part of a conventional wing structure 10, at the outer tip of which is disposed a control vane 11. disposed in a protectingcylinder "12, which cylinder in this case is disposed to face in the direction of move: ment of the aeroplane when in flight.

lVhile the control mechanism, hereinatter described, is designed to actuate any of the automatic control or stabilizing elements usually found in aeroplane construction and which are particularly designed to be controlled automatically by the tipping of the aeroplanes while in flight the device illustrated will be described particularly with reference to the stabilizing device usually found in the extreme end ot the wing construction -tor the purpose of controlling the movement of the aeroplane about its longitudinal axis. It is to be understood, therefore, that the construction shown in Figure 1, illustrates but one side of the complete control mechanism, the wing on the opposite side being similarly equipped with a housed vane. Said vanes are each mounted upon revolvable rods 13, the inner ends of which are fixed to pinions 14 and engage racks 15 positioned on opposite sides of a plunger rod 16 hereinafter more particularly described. It will be understood that the movement of the plunger rod 16 in one direction will cause one of the vanes to tilt in one direction and the corresponding vane at the opposite side of the aeroplane to tilt in the reverse direction. The movement ot the rod into normal position will cause the vanes to assume a position approximately in the plane of the tlight so as to oller their minimum resistance to the head-long flight ot the machine. A corresponding movement of the plunger rod '16 in the opposite directions will cause a corresponding opposite tilting of the vanes so as to cause the machine to move in the direction opposite to the direction caused by the vfirst described movement ol the vanes. This tunctioning is common but in the device illustrated the vanes are positively connected to the actuating device through rigid mechanism which permit the least possible loose play in their actuation. Enclosing the vanes within the protecting cylinder permits the vanes to control the passage of the air current through the cylinders and at the same time prevents the vanes l'rom being alliected by any cross or local currents which m ght otherwise lend to shift the vanes uutonmtically in some manner not controlled by the tipping action of the aeroplane.

The plunger rod 16 is rigidly fixed to a double head-ed plunger 17 slidably mounted to reciprocate within an airtight cylinder 18 carried by the aeroplane and preferably po sitioned adjacent the center 0t gravity thereof.

The plunger is actuated by two control mechanisms, one pneumatically actuated and the other electron'iagnctically actuated. ln order to maintain the plunger normally centered within the cylinder, the latter is formed within two con'ipartments by means ot a transverse partition 19. Disposed between the partition and each ol: the adjacent heads of the plunger is a pair of springs 20 and 21 acting thereon and normally holding the plunger in its neutral centered position shown in Figure 2.

For the purpose of counteracting the lowering effect of the weight of the plunger and the parts connected thereto a spring is positioned between the upper head 2 ol the cylinder and a lock nut ll in screwthreaded engagement with the rod i below the rack 15. The rod is caused to pass into the cylinder through a. pack in the head 23 which packing is designed to permit an easy movement ot the plunger rod and at the same time prevent leakage through the head.

Each outer side of the plunger is provided with a sott metal face plate 2 designed to constitute the armatures of the electromag netic system hereinafter more fully described.

The portion of the cylinders between the faces 26 and the adja cut end ot the cylinder constitute respectively an upper pres sure chamber 27 and a lower pr ssure hain-- her Each ot these chambers is opened to a source ol pneumatic pre sure 29 res-peetively through piping system i l a d ll. Opening either one it the chambers to the charge oi pneumatic pres nre within the reservoir will cause the piston to mere in the direction away l'rom the side which contains the greater pressure. .1. the t illt ll'iiction on each side ol the partition ll is similar a detail i'leseription oi the portion ol' th cylinder at either sid ot the partiti n will be sullicient tor the portion at the opp s te side. The upper pressure chamber is provided with an inlet control \'a -r..' air he lower pressure chamber is provided with a corresponding valve each positi ned within the piping system leading to the r spective chambers. 'lhcsc valves are prelerably in the 'lorm o." small (\iiildcrs threaded directly into the side oi} the cylinlllJ rave-eve tler. The valve as shown more particularly in Figure t includes a hollow casting Set drilled vertically and horizontally and with the vertical drilling countersun; to provide a valveseat '35 upon which is normally seat-' ed a frusto-conical valve 36 maintained in its seated position by means of a spring 3?. One-end of the spring bears againsta spring seat 38 tor-med in the casting and the other end bears against a transverse .pin 39 extend- -i-n:g through a valve stem 40 fixed to the valve 33. The stem extends through a packing box 41 carried in a cap 4-2 constituting a removable side of the valve casing One side of the casing is opened through the valve seat to the piping system 30 or 31 and the opposite side is opened through the port 43 directly into the pressure space in the cylinder.

The valve is normally maintained in its seated position by means of the spring as described, and is designed to be moved into u-nseated position to permit the passage of the fluid therethrough, by means oi a pair of small electromagnets 4-4: positioned within the casing 33 and held in place on a bottom closing cap 45. The electromagnets are so disposed relative to the wide face oi the 'trusto-con-ical valve that the valve will act as an armatureand be attracted towards the electromagnets, when the latter are energized, causing current to pass through the electromagnets to open the valve against the action of its closing spring. Each 01 the spaces 27 and 28 is also provided respectively with an exhaust valve 46 and 47 similar in construction to the inlet control valve hereinbefore described, except that the exhaust valves are provided with a .port 48 designed to open the interior of the compression chambers to the outside air. This opening of the ports permits the reduction of pressure in the chamber opened so that the piston is free to return to its normal position.

The spring containingspaces on opposite sides of the portion 19 are designed to constituteair cushion-chambers and are so arranged that one movement of the cylinder heads away from the partition air is admitted freely into the spaces but on a movement of the plunger heads towards the partition, the plunger is caused to act against an air cushion. This air cushion is caused to bleed slowly so as to permit a slow actuation ot' the device and thus prevent any abnormal, rapid or jerky movement of the control mechanism. F or this purpose each of the spaces is provided with a double acting air valve 49 shown in detail in Figure 5. This air valve includesa cylindercasing 50, one open end of which is screwed into the side of the cylinder so -as to open into the spring chamber controlled thereby. The casing is provided with ;a bore 51 extending axially the-rcthrou-gh and having a relatively large ClOSS-SGCtlOl-l. The outer end of the bore is enlarged to vterm a spring chamber and the outer or this bore is contracted to form an inwardly facing valve seat A frusto-conical valve 5% is normally maintained in position on its seat by means of a spring '55, one end of which bears against the rear face of the valve and the opposite end of which bears upon a shoulder 56 formed by the enlargement of the fore. The air valve is provided with a stem 51 which extends rearwardly through the bore 51-, towards the end thereof opening into the spring chamber. The valve is provided with a T-s'haped passageway one portion 58 or which extends axially through the stem 57 and the head portion 59 of which extends laterally across the length or' the stem and is opened to the outside air through the cutaway portion (30 defining the outer end of the bore exteriorly of the valve seat. This passageway is of relatively small cross-sec tional area so as to limit the bleeding capaeity'ot the device and in order to regulate the extent of this bleeding the portion of the passageway at the junction of the stem portion 58 and the head portion 59 is countersunk to provide a seat 61 and the outer end of the valve is provided with a set screw 62. This set screw is provided with an enternally accessible screw-driver slot 63 designed to be engaged by a tool to move the set screw to and from its seat 61 thus to regulate the outflow of air from the compression chamber through the passageway.

By this construction the over-balancing e1- fect of external pressure due to the reduction of pressure within the spring chamber will permit the external air to act against the valve causing the same to move bodily oit its seat and thus permit a rush of air into the spring chamber to lill the same. lVhen pressure conditions within and to the outside o't'the valve approach their normal condition the spring will tend to seat the valve. The air in endeavoring to escape from the spring chamber will be resisted by the small bleeding capacity provided by the passageway 58 and any desired extent of bleeding may be provided by the proper manipulation of the set screw.

It is understood that in order to move the plunger 17 in either direction desired and thus effect a corresponding movement of the pair of control vanes pneumatic pressure is admitted onto either side of the cylinders to etl'ect the desired movement. This may be done either by a manual type of circuit closer for controlling the circuits selectively through the electromagnets at or by a type of circuit closer actuated automatically by the tipping or other abnormal vmovement of the aeroplane.

Notonly may the plunger in the device all] till

illustrated he actuated h the force 1' this pneumatic pressure hut it 11111 1 c actuated 1.1). an cle troni gncticallt actuated mechanism. For this purpose each of he consion chambers is provided with a pair rtroniag'nets titttor the upper chiin'iher on the plunger.

It is ohvions that the two e1- stl'tllllflit'tllitltsi111}? work independently tl 1= the aeroplane. may he cans 1 11 a strict manual contro either independently or coactirelj to eii'ect the desired stahilizin etlect on the c1nt'rol mechanism.

For the purpose o t controlling t duction oi the actuating tinid automatically and selci-t-ireli into either one of t e cone prcssion chambers for the purpose of extending the pressure troni the chain ers 11'. when the clcetranagznet: instrnuientalities are, in cticctire operatitni for the purpose of on OI'QlZiDQ the clectromagnets and (35 11 (111111-01 mechanism tat-ed aoinaticall s by the tipping of the 4 plane is associated with the fluid system and with the electromagnetic systeni so as to control either of these sources at will One such means illustrated in Figure 6, in which the control of the several power sources is attained through the agency of a pair at circuit closers operatircly connected to he actuated in the cesired sequence through the swinging ot. a pendulum (16. The pendulum is mounted upon a fulcrum shatt ttT in turn mounted in hall hearings carried 113; a frame (19 supported and fixed to a plate 70. The frame includes a pair of diverging lee-s T1 fastened to the plate T0 through a turn-buckle arrai ment 7*). The plate 111a he mounted in any de sired po ition approximating the horiz-zontal 1 he llltlti- 111' at one; either or hoth legs longitudinall, with r tercnce to the plate and with reference to the other leg. The tranie is adjusted so tl at the pendulum will hand nor- 1111111 in its vertical 111 31.101] hereiiuit'ter more particularl -x drscrihed. T e pend hnn is weighted h means ot :1. hear hall 13 in screw tln' adcd enenc'emcnt with the pendu 111111 and arranggce to he adju ted along the length 111 the pendulum thcrehy to rary the period of swing so as to meet the dill'crcntconditions in which it is desired to operate the pendulum device. in order to dampen the processional swinos ot the pendulum a cane T-l: mounted to slide .reel}- upon the lower end of the pen 1111111111 and is arranged to he held in ad istcd position by stop nuts 75. The portion of the pendulum including nor: in or undesired swinging ot the penduiinn. lhe casing is formed in two parts. an upper douie part if) ftOllllQtl integral with the plate T11 and a lower shell St) in screw threaden r fiftllltfllt with the plate and lower por- 111 t the dome part. The pendulum designed in either direction of its swi g to close a circuit in one dirretion oi swin through the contact 77 and 1 its movement in the other direction t the contact Tb. The conta ts are t. '1 to extend through the dome part and are loclicd in their :nljusted position ,1 ol nut locks F11. The hall 73 is de- -1titute the coactine' incnihcr 01 he circuit closers provided 11) the contacts 111d '13; and in the device illustrated the provided with enihossment and 83 .ed to coact rcspectirelr with inc conand F3 to constitute the circuit for controllingthe inlet valves. The 1 connected to the elcctroniagnet 111;; the ralre 1) means of a conit and the contact 78 is similarly co nected to the elcctroinagnets controlling" the val 'c 33 11 means of a conductor 85. The bracket carrying the pcndnlum is connected to a source of electric energy 86 through a conductor 87.

For the purpose of controlling the circuit for energizing the electromagnet controlling the exhaust ralrcs the pendulum is caused to actuate a second set of circuit closers. This second set inchides a plate 88 lined to the hub oi the pendulum 113' means of scre 89 (see Figure 7). Three radially disposed indicators 91 and ()2 are positioned on the plate. extend beyond the edge thereot and are designed to more an-oss a scale carried on an arc plate 9-1 fixed to the top of the frame. This scale graduated to provide a central normal position 0 and with craduations 95 extending in opposite direction from the zero mark. The middle indicator 91 is normally disposed in fixed position so as to point to the zero mark on the scale. The indicators $10 and $12 on opposite sides of the zero indicator hare their inner ends pirotcd to the plate hr means 01' the screws 95 and have set screws $111 intermediate their lengths, which are designed to hind into an arc rod 98 -arried hy the plate. This ar 'an 'c1nent permits the adjustment of the indicators )0 and 12 in set: positions on the plate The indicators 90 and 02 are made adjustahle to hare any desired relation to each other and to the zero indicator 91. The indicators 90 and also contact control ltlii underside of the arc plate button 102 leads by means of a. conductor 10% to the electromagnets controlling the enhaust 46, and a conductor 105' leads correspondingly from the contact button 103: to the electromagnets controlling the source of energy 86 to a button 107 on tl-re plate 108 constituting the bottom of the cylinder 18. By this arrangement of wiring it is seen that cylinder 18, the arc plate 95 and the pendulum frame are each connected electrically with one side of the source of electric energy 86.

The invention as thus far describe-d provides for an automatic,actuation of the fluid inlet and outlet controlling valves and the electromagnet for drawing the plunger in either direction throughthe agency otthc swinging pendulum mecha-nis n.

It may happen that tor some reason or other the swinging pendulum circuit closer may become inoperative,such as being destroyed by hostile rifle fire. in this case should the cylinder and the fluid pressure supply reservoir be intact the control mechanism can be controlled by a manually actuated type of circuit closer designed to actuate the electromagnet controlling the fluid pressure valves or at will to control the electromagnets eith r selectivelyor collectively.

F or this purpose a switch boa-rd 111 is positioned convenient tot-he operator and is provided with a plurality of push button types of circuit closers for closing the circuit through the several sets of electromagnets. One side of the switch board is connected to the source of energy 86 through a conductor 112, it being understood that the circuit is completed through any one of the push buttons on the switch board and through conductors which leadfrom the push button through the several sets of electromagnets. The switch board is provided with a push button 113' which is connected electrically to the clectroinagnet 65 through a conductor 114i and a corresponding push button 115 is connected to the electromagnet 6% through a conductor 116.

114 is also connected to the contact 77 through the conductor 11'? which contains a manually actuated control switch 118 with in its length. Similarly the conductor 116' The conductor is connected to the contact 78 by means of a conductor 119 which contains a mai-iuallyactuated switch 120 within its length. The conductor 84 is provided with a control switch 12-1 and the: conductor 85 is similarly. provided with a control switch 122.

The switch board is provided with, a push button 128' for closing the circuit through the inlet magnet and for this purpose a conductor 1% leads ifrom the push button 128 to the portion of the conductor 8-1 beyond' theswitch 121. A si-n-ril-ar push button 125 carried by the switch board, is connected to the electroniagnet controlling the inlet valve 33 and tor this purpose a. conductor 126 leads tron-1 the push button 125 and is connected to the conductor 85 at a point beyond the switch 122. The switch board is provided with a push button 12*? connected to the conductor 10% for controlling the electromagnets actuating the exhaust valve i6 and the switch board is also provided with apush button 129 connected by means of a conductor 130 to the conductor 105 for the purpose of closing the circuit. ti l-rough the electro-magnet controlling the exhaust valve 17'.

In operation, and assuming that'the several switches 121,, 118, 122 and 120 are in the open position shown, then any of the oicctroinagnets control liugei then the tin ii I in let to the cylinders or the exhaust therefrom may be actuatedmerely by pressing the props er push button on the switch board. For instance should it be desired to. actuate either one of the inlet valves the push button 123 or 125 would be actuated and correspondingly to. exhaust the compression chamber oi? the fluid therein, push buttons 127 or 1 9 would be actuated. Should it be desired to draw the plunger through the agency of the electromagnetic means then either the push button 113 or 115 would be depressed as desired.

Should it be desired to actuate the several electron'iagnels through the tipping action of the aeroplane, then either or both of the sets of switches are moved into their closed position.

Let it be assumed that the switches 118 and 120- are moved into. closed position. In

this case the swinging of the pendulum to the the the right will complete the circuit through contact 78, conductor 119 to energize electron'iagnet 35. and correspondingly the swinging of the pendulum to the opposite direction to complete the circuit. through the contact TZ, conductor 111 to actuate the electromagnet 64. Should the set of electromagnets 121 and 122 be closed then the swinging of the pendulum to the right will complete the circuit through the contact 78 through the conductor 85 to energize the electromagnets controlling the inl'e Similarly a swinging of the pendulum to the left will close the circuit through the contact 77, conductor 8% to actuate the pneumatic controlling the valve 32.

Simultaneously with this swinging of the pendulum to the right the circuit will be completed through the contact 102 through the conductor 104 to actuate the electromagnet controlling the exhaust valve 46 or the swinging of the pendulum in the opposite direction will close the circuit through the contact 103, conductor 105 to actuate the electron'iagnets controlling the exhaust valve 47.

Should both sets of switches be moved into closed position, then it will be obvious that the movement of the pendulum in one direction will act not only to open the inlet valve for moving the plunger in one direction but this movement of the pendulum will also act to energize the electromagnet on the opposite side of the plunger so that the plunger is simultaneously acted upon by the source of the pneumatic pressure acting on one side thereof and the drawing eli'eet of the electromagnet acting on the opposite end thereof.

By means of a device of this character it is possible to control not only the aileron stabilizing device, herein disclosed, but any control mechanism at present utilized in aeroplanes for afiecting the aerodynamic conditions of the same, so that the device illustrated may not only be applicable to stabilizing but may also be applicable to automatic guiding or lifting or tilting n aeehanisms.

The device disclosed may be formed of standard parts and the adjustment features disclosed permit the device to be set to act at any angle of tipping of the device and may obviously be controlled not only by the operator present in the machine, but may be adopted to any of the wireless control devices now known.

The safety feature of the device is of prime importance. In this device disclosed there is provided not only a simple form of manual control actuated at the will of the operator but two sets of auto matically actuated instrumentalities are combined within a simple unitary organization of parts. It will be usual for the operator to depend primarily upon the pneumatic system illustrated and the electromagnetic system will be utilized only in case of emergency either through the loss of pneumatic power in those cases where a quick actuation of the device is desired and the pneumatic power should prove ineffective for causing the quick actuation of the controlling device.

It is obvious that the installation of a device such as is disclosed will provide a direct and positive transmission of power hetween the actuating mechanism and the aeroplane control mechanism without the necessity of struts, guy ropes and other usual transmission and bracing devices which might oll'er resistance to the driftof the aeroplane and introduce chattering of the same with the resulting breaking down of structural parts.

lVhile l have shown and described, and have pointed out in the annexed claims, certain novel features of my invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Variations within the spirit and scope of my invention are comprehended by the foregoing disclosure.

I claim:

1. In an aeroplane, a control vane, an actuating device including a fluid tight casing, a plunger mounted to reciprocate in said casing and operatively connected to said vane to actuate the same, and separate means actuable both selectively and jointly for moving said plunger in said casing, one of said means comprising pneumatic mechanism and the other comprising electromagnets.

2.111 an aeroplane, a control vane, an actuating device. including a fluid tight casing. a plunger mounted to reciprocate in said casing and operatively connected to said vane to actuate the same, separate means actuable both selectively and jointly for moving said plunger in said casing. one of said means comprising pneumatic mechanism and the other comprising electromagnets, and electrical means for bringing said plunger moving means into operation.

3. In an aeroplane, the combination of an aeroplane control device, a plunger for operating said device and separate mechanisms for actuating said plunger, one of said mechanisms being pneumatic and the other electromagnetic, and electrical means for controlling both said pneumatic and electromagnetic actuating mechanisms.

4. In an aeroplane, the combination of an aeroplane control device, a plunger for oper ating said device and separate mechanisms for actuating said plunger, one of said mechanisms being pneumatic aml the other electromagnetic, and electrical means for controlling both said pneumatic and elcctrw magnetic actuating iiiecli.-uiisn1s, and manually controlled means for selectively causing one of the mechanisms to become operative and the other to become inoperative.

In an aeroplane, a control device for the aeroplane, said device including a cylinder. a plunger slirlabl mounted therein. separate plunger actuating means, each out" througlr one end of the casing, a s

adapted for independent operation, and electrical means controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for inaugurating the action of either of said plunger actuating means.

6. In an aeroplane, a control device for the aeroplane, said device including a cylinder, a plunger slidably mounted therein, separate plunger actuating means, each adapted for independent operation, electrical means controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for inaugurating the action of either of said plunger actuating means and manually controlled means for selectively coupling either of said plunger actuating means to said tipping controlled means.

7. A mechanical control device for aeroplanes, comprising a casing, a plunger slidably mounted in said casing, a device controlling member projecting from the plunger out through one end of the casing, a soft iron face defining opposite ends of said plunger, electro-magnets positioned in the casing on.- opposite sides of the plunger and facing the soft iron fares to attract the same when the electromagnets are energized, and means for selectively energizing opposite sets of electro-magnets.

8. A mechanical control device for aeroplanes, comprising a casing, a plunger slidably mounted in said casing, a device controlling member projecting from the plungerout through one end of theorising, a soft iron face defining opposite ends of said; plunger, electro-mr positioned in the casing on opposite sides theplunger and facing the soft iron faces to attract the same when the electro-magncts are energized. means for selectively energizing opposite sets of electro-magnets and a source of pneun'iatic power opened to the space within the casing and at one side of theplunger, whereby the plunger may be moved either by pneumatic or clectro-magnetic power.

9.1%. mechanical control device for aeroplanes, comprising a casing, a plunger slidaly mounted in. said casing, cLvice controlling member projecting from the plunge; iron face defining opposite ends of saidplunger, electro-magnets positioned in the casing on opposite sides of the plunger and facing the soft iron faces to attract the same when the electro-magnets are energized, means for selectively energizing oppositesets of electro-magnets and means acting on said plunger for returning the same to, its normal position when free of the electromagnetic tension created by the energized electro-m-agnots.

10. In an aeroplane, a wing construction, a pivoted control vane carried by the wing, arod mounted for rotary movement about its longitudinal axis and fixed to the vane to rock the same in said rotary movement, a pneumatically actuated mechanism including a cylinder, a plunger slidably mounted in the cylinder, aplunger stem fixed to the pion er, a rack upon said stem, a pinion carried by said rod in mesh with said rack, and pneumatic means connected to the cylinder to actuate its plunger.

11. An aeroplane provided with laterally extending wings, and control vanes positioned on the wings, of a pair of control mechanisms for actuating the vanes mechanically and simultaneously, each of said.

mechanisms being actuated automatically by the tilting action of the aeroplane. and electrical means for controlling each of said mechanisms.

12. In an aeroplane, the combination with a stabilizing device, of a protecting means enclosing said stabilizing device on all sides except the sides in line with the line of flight of the machine, said protecting means being open at front and rear to permit the move ment of air currents in onedirection past said stabilizing device, a pair of opposing springs positioned exteriorly of said protecting means and acting on said stabilizing device for returning the same to its normal position, and automatically actuated means acting 011 said stabilizing device for moving the same at will in either direction from its normal position and against the action of said springs.

13. In an aeroplane, the combination of a stabilizing device, an armature operatively connected to said device, means for actuat ing said armature pneumatically, an electro magnet associated with said armature to move the same win one direction, resilient means for restoring the armature in normalposition and means controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for energizing said el ectroe magnet.

H. In an aeroplane, the combination of a stabilizing device, an armature operatively connected to said device, an electro-niagnet associated with said armature'to move the same in one direction from its normal position, means controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for energizing said electro-m-agnet and a manually controlled switch in circuit with said electro-magnet for energizing the same in addition to the automatic control for energizing the electronnagnet provided by said means and balanced springs acting on said iii-mature for returning the same to a normal position when free of the controlling action of said electro-magnet.,

15. In an aeroplane, the combination of an actuating cylinder, an electrically actuated valve for admitting an actuating fluid to said cylinder, anelectrically actuated valve for exhausting the actuating fluid from said cylinder, a pendulum controlled by the tilting of the aeroplane, a pair of normally open circuit closers, one adapted to close the circuit through the fluidadmitting valve and the other adapted to close the circuit through the thud-exhausting valve, the mcvable element" ot each of said circuit closers being operat vely connected to said penduhim so as tohe moved therehv into circuit closing position. Z 7

16. In an aeroplane, the condiination ot a actuating cvlinder, an electrically actuated valve for admitting an actuating tluid to said cylinder, an el'cctricalljv actuated 'a lve :lor exhausting the actuating thud trom said cylinder, a pendulum controlled h the tilt ing of the aeroplane, a pair of nor-mall open circuit closers, one adapted to close the circuit through the luiddmitti a valve and the other adapted to close the circ it through the fluid-exhausting valve, the movable element o't each o't said circuit; close s oeing operativelv connected to said pendulum so as to be moved thereby into circuit closing position, one of said circuit closers provided with means for varyingits circuit c osing position relative to the c cuit closing positionot the other circuit closer.

l'TrIn an aeroplane, a control device including an armature, an el ectro-mag'net tor acting on said armature, pneumatic means for acting on said armature and including 7 an electrically controlled valve, a pendulum,

lum and a corelated contact disposed in the path of movement of the contact carried by the pendulum, a second circuit including said electrically controlled valve, a contact controlled hy the movement of the pendnlunr and a corelatcd contact disposed in the path of movement of said last named contact, said contacts constituting circuit closers disposed relative to each othervvhereby a movement of the pendulum in one direction wiltactuate hoth circuit closers and thus 2 ctuate both the electromagnet and the electrically controlled valve.

18. In an aeroplane, a control device in cluding a pendulum, a circuit closer including a pair of contacts, one carried by the pendulum and a c'orelated contact disposed in the path of movement of the contact carri d h v the pendulum, an electricall controlled inlet valve in circuit with'said circuit closer, a second circuit closer including a contact controlled'hv the movement oi the pendulum, a correlated contact disposed in the path of movement of said last named contact, an electromagnet in circuit with said second circuit closer, said circuit closers being disposed relative to each other whereh v a movement of the pendulum in one direction will actuate both circuit closers, a third circuit closer actuated by the swing of tricallv controlled outlet valve in circuit wtih said third circuit closer.

19. In a aeroplane, the comhination with an electrically actuated aeroplane control including a pair of electrically actuated mechanisms, of a pair of circuit closers 'l'or controlling said mechanisms automatically through the tilting oi the machine in opposite directions, said cir closers including a single pendulum, a pair of electric comllltftors with one end ofthcir circuits grounded and adapted to he controlledhv the tipping ot the aeroplane, a pair ot contacts insulated trom said grounded pendulum and disposed in the path of swing at the pendulum as it swings in opposite directions from its nor mal position whereh} the movement ot the pendulum into engagement with either of said contacts will complete the circuit'lo one ot said met-hair us, said contacts lacing adj tahle relative to ihe'pendulmn and relae to each other tiicre rv to var the degree ole angle of tilt of, the aeroplane at which the control mechanisms hccome operative.

20. In an aeroplane, the combination with an electricall actuated aeroplane control mechanism, of a circuit closer for controlling said mechanism automatically through 'the tilting of the machine, said circuit closer including a pendulum, an electric conductor with one end of its circuit grounded and adapted to be controlled by the tipiug ol the aeroplane, a contact insulated from said grounded pendulum and disposed in the path of swing of the pendulum, wherehv the movement oi. the pendulum into engagement with said contact will complete the circuit to said mechanism, a housing tor the lower end ot the pendulum and a vane ad ustahlv mounted on the lower end ot the pendulum and constituting a variahle mechanism tor dampening the trce swing of the pendulum.

21. In an aerkmlane, the combination with an electricalh actuated aeroplane control mechanism, of a circuit closer tor controlling said mechanism autmnaticallv through the tilting of the machine, said circuit closer including a pendulum, an electric conductor with one end of its circuit. grounded and adapted to he controlled l v the tipping ol the aeroplane, a contact insulated from said grounded pendulum and disposed in the path of swi g ot the pendulum, whcrchvdhc. movement of the pendulum into engagement willr said contact will complete the circuit. to said mechanism, and mechanism for dampening the treeswing ot the pendulum. said mechanism heing mounted on the pendulum and including means 't'or adjusting it position on the pendulum.

22. In an aeroplane, the conihimition with an electrically actuated aeroplane control mechanism ot a circuit closer for controlling said mechanism automatically through the tilting of the machine, said circuit closer including a pendulum, a pair of coacting contacts, one mounted in relatively fixed position and the other carried by the pendulum, said contacts being relatively adjustable thereby to vary the extent of movement of the pendulum necessary to effect a circuit closing engagement of the contacts and means for adjusting the center of gravity of said pendulum.

23. I11 an aeroplane, the combination with an electrically actuated aeroplane control mechanism, of a circuit closer for controlling said mechanism automatically through the tilting of the machine, said circuit closer including a pendulum, provided with a weight adjustably mounted thereon, a twopart fixed casing for enclosing the weighted end of the pendulum, a contact carried by the casing, said pendulum constituting a coacting contact when swung into engagement with the contact carried by the casing, the parts of said casing being readily separable thereby to provide access to the weight on the pendulum to adjust the same.

'24:. In an aeroplane, the combination with an electrically actuated aeroplane control mechanism, of a circuit closer for controlling said mechanism automatically through the tilting of the machine, said circuit closer including a pendulum, provided with a weight, a casing for enclosing the weighted end of the pendulum, and a vane carried by the pendulum within the casing disposed across the line of movement of the pendulum and constituting a means for dampening the swing of the pendulum, said vane being adjustable along the length of the pendulum.

26. In an aeroplane, the combination of a control mechanism, a cylinder provided with a fixed partition for dividing the same into two plunger compartments, a plunger mounted in each compartment, said plungers being operatively connected to said control mechanism to actuate the same, means on opposite sides of the partition for moving its adjacent plunger and mechanism controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for controlling said means.

27. In an aeroplane, the combination of a control mechanism,a cylinder provided with a fixed partition for dividing the same into two plunger compartments, a plunger mounted in each compartment, said plungers being operatively connected to said control mechanism to actuate the same, means on opposite sides of the partition for moving its adjacent plunger and mechanism controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for controlling said means and means positioned in the space between the partition and the plungers for maintaining the plungers in normal position,

28. In an aeroplane, the combination of a control mechanism, a cylinder provided with a fixed partition for dividing the same into two plunger compartments, a plunger mounted in each compartment, said plungers being operatively connected to said control mechanism to actuate the same, means on opposite sides of the partition for moving its adjacent plunger and mechanism controlled by the tipping of the aeroplane for controlling said means, and means positioned in the space between the partition and the plungers for tending to maintain an external atmosphere condition in said space.

Executed this 14th day of February, 1924.

HENRY E. KRAMMER. 

